Early this month, a 62-year-old New Jersey man was killed when he fell from the Ferris wheel at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier on the Ocean City Boardwalk. The man was the owner of a Swedesboro, NJ, company that was hired as a subcontractor to make repairs on the ride. The person who called 911 described him as a welder.

A Fatal Fall Occurred During National Fall Safety Stand-Down Week

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the company as well as the historic amusement park. An OSHA representative noted the sad irony that the fatal accident occurred during National Fall Safety Stand-Down Week. 

She noted, “It is a tragic reminder that all employers should take safety steps to protect the employees from fall hazards.” The OSHA area director echoed those sentiments, adding, “Worker falls are preventable with the use of proper fall protection.”

Falls from heights are the leading cause of fatal injuries for those who work in construction. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about a third of all construction-related deaths in 2020 resulted from falls. In New Jersey alone, nearly 40 people engaged in some kind of construction work have died in the past two years from falls.

Falls from significant heights, even when they aren’t fatal, can result in catastrophic and often life-changing injuries. It’s crucial for injured workers and their loved ones to seek the workers’ compensation and any other sources of benefits to which they’re entitled. This can help keep a family going financially when they’re dealing with medical costs, lost wages and more.

Despite all of the benefits of this modern piece of equipment, there are some drawbacks. Nail gun accidents are fairly common. They can cause severe injuries and even fatalities in severe instances. What are some of the more common causes of nail gun accidents?

Underestimating the Power of Nail Guns

To embed a nail into hard surfaces, a lot of force is required. Sometimes, workers can make the mistake of underestimating how powerful the tool is or how thick the surface is. If a surface is too thin, then a nail can penetrate through to the other side. A colleague who is on the other side of the surface is likely to find themselves in trouble, potentially suffering a debilitating injury, especially if the nail has come into contact with their head.

Unexpected Ricochets

Nails are largely designed to go through wood and non-metal surfaces. If a nail hits a surface that is as hard or harder than it, there is a chance that a ricochet could occur. The nail will be unable to penetrate the surface and will instead head back towards the operator or someone else in close proximity. A ricocheting nail can reach a staggering speed and it will cause severe damage if it strikes a human in the eyes or head area.

Nail guns are a useful tool as long as adequate safety protocols are followed. Your boss has a duty to ensure that tools are well-maintained and adequate training should be provided before usage. If you have suffered an injury on-site, make sure you check out your legal options.

What Falling Objects Can Lead to Construction Accidents?

Construction workers often sustain injuries after being struck by an object on the site. An object such as a piece of machinery or equipment, or even something small falling from a distance from above, can be very serious. Large objects like lumber or steel beams from scaffolding can leave a worker suffering devastating injuries that can leave them temporarily or even permanently disabled.

Whatever the object falling onto a construction worker, the injuries can be severe. They might need to file for workers’ compensation to cover their medical expenses and lost wages if they have to miss time from work while recovering.

What Kind of Injuries Can Occur From Falling Objects on Construction Sites?

A construction worker who suffers injuries after being struck with falling objects on a worksite might want to immediately file for workers’ compensation benefits. Certain injuries are very common after accidents involving falling objects. A worker can suffer a head injury such as a concussion or in the worst-case scenario, even a traumatic brain injury. Neck and spinal injuries are also very common. All of these possible injuries can be serious enough that they end up being permanent and disabling

In rarer cases, a falling object can lead to a construction worker suffering eye injuries. If the individual is struck in the eye by a small object or debris, it can cause irritation or something much worse such as blindness or even the loss of an eye.

Respiratory Dangers in the Workplace

Employees might find themselves in close proximity to gases and vapors. Someone working at a chemical plant may find it challenging to avoid getting near such respiratory hazards, which is why safety equipment becomes essential for many employees. Hopefully, management provides well-maintained equipment that does its job effectively.

Not all workplaces involve exposure or proximity to chemicals and fumes, but respiratory dangers may arise. A custodian might knock over a can of paint thinner and inhale fumes. Any environment could experience a fire, meaning workers might inhale smoke. When accidental mishaps occur, the worker could get caught by surprise. A school teacher wouldn’t wear protective equipment, but unexpected hazards may lead to respiratory illnesses. There could be other frightening examples of surprise dangers. Someone locked in a confined space may face oxygen deprivation.

Injuries and Accidents Resulting From Respiratory Issues

Anyone who suffers from respiratory problems might rush to the emergency room. An examination could reveal serious problems that require medical care and recuperation time.

Injuries might extend beyond problems inflicted on the lungs. A person could pass out from exposure to chemicals or fumes and suffering an injury upon hitting the ground. Severely broken bones could leave someone relying on worker’s compensation benefits for an extended period.

An injured employee will generally not need to prove fault in order to obtain benefits. Hopefully, the process will move along without any hurdles.

What Does Hand Eczema Look Like?

Hand eczema is an itchy, flaky skin rash that occurs on the backs of hands and fingers. If you have hand eczema, your skin will look red and cracked in the affected areas. The good news is that hand eczema is not contagious and it is generally covered under workers’ compensation insurance policies.

What Causes Hand Eczema?

Hand eczema is usually never caused by just one thing in your work environment, but a combination of factors. If you work every day with your hands, the constant stress on your skin makes it easier for toxins to enter your pours. Dry air or constant wetness at work are some risk factors. If you are required to wear gloves at work, the moisture build-up in the gloves combined with toxic ingredients in the glove plastic can lead to the development of hand eczema.

One example of a worker who could develop hand eczema is a restaurant dishwasher. A dishwasher’s hands are constantly wet and exposed to cleaning solutions. A person who works with their hands at an indoor factory may also get eczema from dry air and exposure to chemicals.

Hand Eczema is an Occupational Skin Disease

If you think that you developed hand eczema from your work conditions, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. Hand eczema is considered an occupational disease, so your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should cover your treatment. Early dermatological treatment for hand eczema is recommended to prevent a chronic condition from developing.

Noise Levels at Work Don’t Always Require Heavy Machinery

A growing number of people live with hearing loss due to noise. As a general rule of thumb, you need to use some type of protection when you deal with noises at or exceeding 85 decibels.

When you consider that typical traffic in the city is already at this level, it makes sense that adding work-related noise could cause problems. Even office jobs can leave you vulnerable to noise-related hearing problems if the machines are loud enough and exposure is long enough.

Damaged Hearing Puts You at Risk

Experts agree that a dulling of this sense may prevent you from perceiving an approaching danger. In this way, it can put you in harm’s way as well as others who rely on you. Work-related problems are common, and you may have to rely on workers’ compensation benefits.

However, medical professionals and employers are now looking for ways to prevent hearing loss in the first place. For example, exposure to stress makes you more vulnerable to suffering hearing loss. Therefore, a focus on the work-life balance makes sense. Moreover, many companies now introduce routine workplace noise monitoring.

Of course, if you already suffered hearing loss, you are dealing with a new normal. Spending time with a workers’ compensation lawyer might help you cover your related medical expenses.

Falls

Workers’ compensation claims for the construction site industry tend to include falls as a reason for the injury. Since construction workers are working on unstable surfaces, they’re more at risk than the average worker of falling. Whether it’s falling off of the edge of a beam or tripping on unstable ground, these falls can be hazardous to the body.

Objects Overhead

Anyone that has watched the construction of a skyscraper has seen large cranes moving various beams and other materials around. Due to the nature of where these materials are being moved, the workers below are at risk for injury if the object suddenly becomes detached. Due to the weight of these objects, even falling free only a few feet up in the air can cause significant damage to construction workers below it.

Vehicle Collisions

Construction sites are busy places where there are vehicles coming in and out of the site throughout the day. Sometimes these vehicles may collide with construction workers and cause significant damages. Some of the worst vehicle collisions that happen are those that end up crushing the worker between the vehicle and another movable object like a building or wall. Construction workers need to pay attention to the various movement of vehicles around the construction site to help avoid coming into contact with them.

Because the construction industry is one of the most dangerous for workers, it’s no surprise that they have the highest rate of workers’ compensation claims. The above are the three most common reasons for those claims to be submitted. If you’ve been injured on the job site, it’s advisable to speak to an attorney about your workers’ compensation benefits.

Many of these fatalities stem from the same risk factors according to data gathered and analyzed by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). While companies that perform construction work cannot predict freak gusts of wind or a car crash that topples over scaffolding, they can at least take steps to minimize the four biggest threats to their workers’ lives, also sometimes called the “fatal four.”

What are the Fatal Four Risks for Construction Workers?

Construction workers make up about 20% of all annual workplace fatalities, and the majority of these deaths occur because of the fatal four. Of the 1,008 construction worker deaths on the job in 2018, the most recent year with analyzed statistics available, OSHA found that falls, caught-between accidents, electrocutions and getting struck by an object were responsible for almost 59% of the total construction work deaths.

Caught-between incidents may be the one item on this list that people don’t immediately understand. They are crushing accidents that can occur when items fall or when machinery or equipment crushes a worker against a wall or another piece of equipment. Most of these kinds of accidents are preventable with property safety gear, adequate training and adherence to OSHA’s rules for construction sites.

Compensation Opportunities Depend on the Circumstances

You undoubtedly already realize that workers’ compensation is an option if you or a loved one suffer an injury while working at a construction job. The available benefits can cover medical costs and help replace lost wages.

What you may not realize is that in circumstances where the company didn’t comply with regulations regarding safety equipment, employee safety and job site maintenance, it is sometimes possible to bring a lawsuit against the company itself due to their negligence or wrongful acts in the event that they violated the law.

Talking about the circumstances that led to an injury or death on a construction site with an attorney can give you a better idea of what rights your family has in your specific scenario.

First, you must report the injury to your employer. This can be verbally or in writing, but it must be made to someone who is in authority at the company. Someone in personnel, a supervisor, or an owner would all qualify for this. 

Second, New Jersey laws note that your employer and their insurer can choose who you see for the injury. There is usually a notice up in the business about what emergency room should be used. This is where you should go if you need emergency care, but you might not have a choice if you’re taken by ambulance. 

Third, some workers require more than seven days off to allow their injury to heal enough to return to work. When this happens, the workers’ compensation insurer will provide temporary disability benefits to the injured worker. Other benefits are also possible, depending on the case, so discuss the situation with your attorney to find out what might happen.

Fourth, you may have to fight for benefits that are due to you. Workers’ compensation coverage should make it easier to get the care you need; however, these benefits are sometimes denied. Filing appeals and working through the process to get the benefits you need might not be easy when you’re trying to heal from the injures. Your attorney can help you with these matters, so your interests are protected throughout the case. 

Workers in a neighboring state claim that they package approximately four online orders per minute. Any slow down in that rate has a negative impact on the worker’s performance reviews. As a consequence, many experience repetitive motion injuries and increased fatigue, stress and anxiety. The work the fulfillment staff are doing involves frequent lifting, bending, twisting and running. All of this appears to be contributing to an increase in the number of musculoskeletal injuries involving the back, neck and feet.

Safety complaints against Amazon are not an unusual or rare occurrence. The company was fined $7,000 in 2016 for failing to report multiple injuries received at a New Jersey facility. The complaint stated that employees were exposed to the possibility of repetitive motion injuries due to 10-hour shifts and excessive physical demand needed to maintain the level of output the company required.

Every person working in a physically demanding job has a right to expect a certain level of safety and protection from injury while performing their jobs. While some jobs do come with inherent risks, precautions should be put in place in an attempt to prevent work injury. A person who believes one may have suffered an injury on the job could benefit from seeking counsel from a workers’ compensation professional in New Jersey.

According to the study by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 22 people or more were killed on the job in 2018, and at least 23 fatalities occurred in 2017. The injuries ranged from amputations to the loss of an eye as well as many other debilitating injuries that resulted in a need for inpatient hospital care. Regarding severe injuries, 239 were reported in 2017 and 283 in 2018. The data comes from the OSHA Severe Injury Report database.

OSHA requires that all such deaths and injuries be reported to them in a timely manner. The numbers cited in this article include data regarding deaths and injuries in the private sector. Separate laws govern reporting for public sector incidents involving state, local and county workers in the state of New Jersey.

A person working in construction or manufacturing in New Jersey should not have to worry about how his or her family will be provided for in the event of a serious injury or worse. Anyone with concerns, or who has suffered a debilitating injury, may wish to consult with a personal injury legal professional experienced in workers’ compensation. Such a lawyer can review the situation and advise the client as to his or her legal options.

Two workers for a New Jersey landscaping firm perished when they were exposed to carbon monoxide. The gas exposure was the result of having started their gasoline powered-lawnmowers inside the trailer used to transport them. While the toxic gas is still present when the mowers are started outside of the trailer, it dissipates into the air and the toxic danger is alleviated.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company for failure to adequately train the employees to be aware of the hazards concerning exposure to the toxic gas in a contained area. The company faces a fine of $17,051. The company has 15 days to comply or respond to OSHA’s findings.

Workers in New Jersey who risk harm from exposure to toxic gases or dangerous chemicals have the right to expect to be adequately trained in procedures for protecting themselves from such a harmful and potentially fatal hazard. A person who has a lost a loved one as a result of possible exposure to a toxic substance could benefit from seeking the advice of an experienced professional. The case can be reviewed and the client advised as to options may be available under workers’ compensation law.

The bill states that serious ailments contracted by first responders, including many cancers, can be presumed to have been caused by on-the-job exposure. Unless the employer can prove that there is a chance, greater than 50%, that the cause was not workplace related, the employee may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Firefighters, EMTs, police and other emergency workers may all benefit from the new law.

Firefighters are now covered regardless of whether they are paid or volunteer. The one condition is that they have seven years of service. Having less than seven years does not disqualify one from coverage, but additional information regarding the exposure may be required. In addition to the dangers encountered in a fire, the law also protects against exposure to bodily fluids as well as exposure to known toxins or serious communicable diseases.

First responders in New Jersey put the common welfare above their own. Providing assistance to aid them and their loved ones in the event of a catastrophic illness is one way to show appreciation for the risks they take every day. Any first responder suffering from a serious illness or the loved one of such a victim may wish to consult with a professional regarding the possibility of obtaining workers’ compensation coverage.

An accident occurred at a construction site in Pequannock Township that resulted in crush injuries to a worker. He had been working in a trench when a retaining wall collapsed. The debris from the collapse fell into the trench, trapping the 61-year-old worker up to his waist and leaving him unable to move.

Emergency crews worked quickly to free the man, and he was then airlifted to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he is reported to be in stable condition. Such accidents can cause serious injuries that may not be immediately apparent as the compression to the body can cause circulatory issues and therefore put undue stress on a person’s heart and circulatory system. It may take time to fully assess the impact of the injury on the worker. 

Workers’ compensation insurance exists to aid workers in such a situation when a work injury keeps them away from the job. If a person has questions regarding his or her rights under the law regarding workers’ comp insurance in New Jersey a professional experienced in dealing with such issues can help. Regaining one’s health is the paramount concern, and one should not be subject to the added stress of worrying about losing one’s job.

The accident occurred around lunch time on a recent afternoon. Four workers were on a scaffold performing masonry work when the it collapsed. The workers fell about 50 feet to the ground below. They were all employed by Ben-Mar Construction of Camden County and were working on a building at the campus of Together Everyone Achieves More. The building is scheduled to open this fall.

The workers were all transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center. They were reportedly all suffering from serious injuries. The condition of the workers is not known. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration responded to the scene and is investigating the cause of the accident. Township construction officials are also involved in the investigation.

In spite of a person’s or a company’s best efforts in New Jersey, a work injury can still occur. If a person is injured in such an accident, he or she may benefit from consulting with an experienced worker’s compensation lawyer. A conversation with a knowledgeable attorney can assist a person with determining whether a viable worker’s compensation claim exists. The attorney can also assist in helping to determine the best legal path to follow. A successful claim can help to replace lost wages, cover medical expenses and help with other costs.

A company that manufactures snack foods was recently cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to provide adequate safety training. The company has eight locations in the region and reached a settlement with OSHA in which it agreed to improve safety training at all of its locations. Violations were only detected at one location.

The snack food company was cited for safety violations in 2018. The violations were a result of an inspection that revealed the company had failed to prevent employees from being exposed to serious machine hazards. The inspection also revealed that employees were improperly trained regarding the control of the high voltage machines. The company agreed to pay a fine of $152,934.

If a person is employed in a manufacturing job in New Jersey that exposes one to risk of injury it is expected that the company provides comprehensive training regarding the use of the heavy machinery and the safety procedures that are intended to protect the health of the employee. If a worker in New Jersey has experienced an injury or feels he or she is at undue risk of injury, a consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney could provide one with valuable information. A knowledgeable attorney can review the situation and advise the client as to what legal options may be available.

Two workers were injured as they worked on the lines along the highway. The incident resulted in a portion of the road being closed for about an hour. The workers were both transported to an area hospital and were said to be in stable condition. It is not known if they had received adequate safety training for the work they were doing.

The men were working on the New Jersey Turnpike Project. It is not known what part of the project involves the Garden State Parkway where the incident occurred. The downed power lines were removed and the road was allowed to reopen. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Risks are a part of life when a person works in construction in New Jersey. If safety measures are neglected and adequate training is not provided people may be subjected to unnecessary risks. A person who suffers a serious work injury may be entitled to workers’ compensation.  People in such a situation in New Jersey may wish to consult with an attorney who handles these types of claims. A lawyer can review the facts of the case and advise the client as to what legal options are available as a result of the workplace injuries.

An accident in a Costco parking lot resulted in the death of a construction worker. Repair work was being performed on a parking lot curb. One of the workers was driving a pickup and appeared to have inadvertently put the truck into reverse. He then lost control of the vehicle and ran over a worker who had been behind the truck.

The man who was run over was transported to Overlook Medical Center. His injuries were too severe and doctors were unable to save him. It is not known what safety training the driver of the truck had at the time of the accident. The local police are investigating the cause of the accident.

Losing a loved one in a tragic accident is a horrific experience for anyone to have to endure in New Jersey. Nothing can roll back the clock and undo the tragedy of the accident. A conversation with a personal injury attorney can provide a family information regarding workers’ compensation and what benefits may be available. In addition, a lawyer can review the facts of the accident and advise the family as to whether a civil suit is a viable option. 

In a recent case, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that volunteers should receive short term disability benefits if they are injured in the line of duty. The decision applies regardless of whether the volunteer is otherwise employed at the time of the injury. Prior to the court’s decision, volunteer first responders only received compensation for injuries if they were employed outside of their volunteer activities.

In order to receive workers’ compensation for an injury received in the line of one’s role as a volunteer first responder, one had to show that the injury caused one to lose income from outside employment at the time of the injury. The case, Kocanowski vs. Bridgewater involved a woman who slipped and fell on an icy surface while carrying equipment to fight a fire. She was denied workers’ compensation benefits because she had no outside employment.

First responders put their lives on the line. In the event of an injury, care should be provided to them as they act to protect citizens’ lives every day with little or no regard for their own safety. A person in New Jersey who has suffered an injury in a volunteer capacity may wish to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney regarding workers’ compensation. An experienced lawyer can review the facts of the case and advise the client as to what legal options may be available.

The electronic reporting has been conducted through the submission of three electronic forms. One form is a summary of incidents, and the others provide detailed information on what happened. In a recent rollback, OSHA has reduced that requirement to submission of the summary form only. Six states, including New Jersey, have brought suit, arguing that employees have a right to know about dangerous conditions in the workplace.

OSHA’s argument for the change is that the agency believes the electronic reporting violates worker privacy. OSHA further stated that the detailed reporting would not accomplish much when it came to improving working conditions. The prior rule established by OSHA stated that companies with more than 250 employees, or high-risk industries with 20 – 249 employees, were required to file the three electronic forms.

Many jobs carry inherent risks, and a work injury may happen regardless of precautions taken. Proper equipment and safety training can reduce the chances of an injury occurring. If one is injured on the job in New Jersey, a consultation with an attorney experienced in workers’ compensation law may be beneficial. A knowledgeable lawyer can review the facts of the case and advice the client of his or her rights under the law.